Changes

R: But make no mistake, others can and do [[perceive]] this in you, even those of very [[limited]] [[vision]], and you will sense this, too. You already have, many of you. Is that not true? (Yes.) It is [[magnetic]]. So be ready to deal with those who are drawn to you in a [[gracious]] and God-serving fashion. Did not [[our Master]] always have [[time]] for His supplicants? (Yes.) (10/09/93)

R: But make no mistake, others can and do [[perceive]] this in you, even those of very [[limited]] [[vision]], and you will sense this, too. You already have, many of you. Is that not true? (Yes.) It is [[magnetic]]. So be ready to deal with those who are drawn to you in a [[gracious]] and God-serving fashion. Did not [[our Master]] always have [[time]] for His supplicants? (Yes.) (10/09/93)

===More On Goodness===

===='''''[[Goodness]]'''''====

Today's lesson is on a subject that we have covered numerous times in the past, however today's presentation will add a new dimension, hopefully, to your understanding. We are going to explore the topic of goodness and its role in your lives now, particularly now, but also later in your ascension careers. I have sensed that some among you have been distressed by what you correctly perceive as a lack of goodness on the part of some of your fellow mortals on Urantia. This is painful even to Father in Paradise, and, of course, to myself and the other beings who are here as observers and participants in the present Urantia mission of upstepping and reconnection to the universe at large. So, of course, it is to be expected that this would be painful to you who must live in its presence. And as your spiritual growth proceeds you will become more keenly aware of spiritual retardation in others, as you have most likely already noticed. So, you may ask, what can I do about this? How in my small way, as a lone individual, can I help? What would Father have me do? What is the right way? And your Adjuster will always, always say that the way of goodness is the proper path, if you would help Father to further the work toward eventual light and life on this planet. Leading a life of goodness sounds simple, and yet even for Michael, as Jesus, it was not easy. Why should this be so? After all, it seems logical that to be good, to behave in good ways, would be simple. There are many reasons that goodness is elusive to mortals of imperfect creation. You are all aware of your animal origin and the strong influence that animal desires exert upon you in your daily activities.

This is a very powerful [[force]] in pulling the [[individual]] away from the [[direction]] of [[goodness]]. And it is true that, on a [[material]] world of imperfect [[origin]], [[behaviors]] that are not wholly [[consistent]] with [[goodness]] of [[intent]] can be very rewarding in terms of [[material]] [[success]], accumulation of [[prestige]], perceived [[mating]] desirability, [[access]] to [[leisure]] activities, all of those things that are so prized by the [[animal]] within you. But your [[Thought Adjuster]] is always there, ever attempting to [[communicate]] with your deepest [[mind]], and when you [[sincerely]] desire to commune with your [[Mystery Monitor]] about your own life and [[actions]], you will each and every time be answered in detail with regard to the [[structure]] of your [[behavior]] in the [[direction]] of [[good]] and [[truth]] and [[love]] and [[beauty]].

This is a very powerful force in pulling the individual away from the direction of goodness. And it is true that, on a material world of imperfect origin, behaviors that are not wholly consistent with goodness of intent can be very rewarding in terms of material success, accumulation of prestige, perceived mating desirability, access to leisure activities, all of those things that are so prized by the animal within you. But your Thought Adjuster is always there, ever attempting to communicate with your deepest mind, and when you sincerely desire to commune with your Mystery Monitor about your own life and actions, you will each and every time be answered in detail with regard to the structure of your behavior in the direction of good and truth and love and beauty.

And, yes, it can be [[painful]], as I myself know so well, to turn away from the well-[[learned]] and heavily [[practiced]] animal [[gratifying]] styles toward Father on the basis of [[faith]] alone and inner promptings that may seem at best [[vague]]. But, my [[friends]], to do this, to consult with your inner [[fragment of God]] increasingly, and to heed, as much as possible, the promptings which you [[receive]], is the way, the best way and the only way, for you to help to correct the deficiencies of your fellows and of course of yourself. How can this be, that your own [[behavior]], without a direct [[interaction]] with others, can yet act to undo or correct spiritual deficiencies in them? Even I do not fully [[understand]] this [[phenomenon]], but I will [[describe]] it to you as best I can. All of what is exists in such a way that it [[works]] well when the ways of [[the Father|Father]] are followed. Things work well and most efficiently when the will of Father is heeded, and work [[poorly]] or not at all when Father's will is defied.

And, yes, it can be painful, as I myself know so well, to turn away from the well-learned and heavily practiced animal gratifying styles toward Father on the basis of faith alone and inner promptings that may seem at best vague. But, my friends, to do this, to consult with your inner fragment of God increasingly, and to heed, as much as possible, the promptings which you receive, is the way, the best way and the only way, for you to help to correct the deficiencies of your fellows and of course of yourself. How can this be, that your own behavior, without a direct interaction with others, can yet act to undo or correct spiritual deficiencies in them? Even I do not fully understand this phenomenon, but I will describe it to you as best I can. All of what is exists in such a way that it works well when the ways of Father are followed. Things work well and most efficiently when the will of Father is heeded, and work poorly or not at all when Father's will is defied.

That is why the [[acts]] of a [[good]] person are so [[powerful]], because you, my dear [[friend]], acting as an [[individual]] of good will and [[Adjuster]] prompting, set off a [[chain]] of [[events]] with each proper and Father-[[focused]] [[act]]. This chain of events is most [[efficient]], far-reaching and ripples across time in a most interesting way to have the most [[magnificent]] [[effect]] on all of [[Urantia]], and indeed, on all of [[the universe]]. And it will [[penetrate]] each of your fellow Urantians to the core of his [[being]]. I do not know why this is, but if you can [[imagine]] an arrow shot by an [[expert]] hand with a perfect bow flying through [[space]] with no [[friction]], no [[resistance]], that might be an [[analogy]] which would be helpful to you. And what of the [[act]] of the one who is deficient, the one who [[rebels]] against the [[Adjuster]], who wishes not to be [[good]]. The act of that one falls at his feet and truly goes no further. So ineffectual it is. You may ask but what of the one who [[murders]]? What of the one who [[steals]]? What of the one who enslaves, beats, or in many other ways seeks to [[dominate]] and harm other [[beings]]? Does not the [[act]] of that [[person]] penetrate at least one other?

That is why the acts of a good person are so powerful, because you, my dear friend, acting as an individual of good will and Adjuster prompting, set off a chain of events with each proper and Father-focused act. This chain of events is most efficient, far-reaching and ripples across time in a most interesting way to have the most magnificent effect on all of Urantia, and indeed, on all of the universe. And it will penetrate each of your fellow Urantians to the core of his being. I do not know why this is, but if you can imagine an arrow shot by an expert hand with a perfect bow flying through space with no friction, no resistance, that might be an analogy which would be helpful to you. And what of the act of the one who is deficient, the one who rebels against the Adjuster, who wishes not to be good. The act of that one falls at his feet and truly goes no further. So ineffectual it is. You may ask but what of the one who murders? What of the one who steals? What of the one who enslaves, beats, or in many other ways seeks to dominate and harm other beings? Does not the act of that person penetrate at least one other?

[[Materially]], yes. [[Spiritually]] the only [[effect]] that wrong-doing can have on another being is to promote the [[spiritual advancement]] of the other, for remember that [[adversity]] always leads to [[spirit growth]], as long as there is will to follow the ways of Father.

Materially, yes. Spiritually the only effect that wrong-doing can have on another being is to promote the spiritual advancement of the other, for remember that adversity always leads to spirit growth, as long as there is will to follow the ways of Father.

What of the one who [[harms]] a [[being]] who has not yet been [[endowed]] with an [[Adjuster]], such as a [[baby]]? How is the baby with no [[Adjuster]] benefited spiritually by the [[adversity]] of its own [[murder]] or [[harm]] in other ways? Prior to the arrival of the [[Adjuster]] in beings of [[animal]] origin, there is more of an animal-like [[response]] to [[pain]] and suffering than after the [[Adjuster]] arrives. Yes, pain is indeed felt and causes suffering in the baby, but not as you would [[experience]] it, not at that level of [[intensity]], so the baby is somewhat [[protected]] in that way. Spiritually there are guardian [[entities]] that [[surround]] the baby and enable it to depart the [[material]] body more quickly when conditions of inappropriate [[material]] [[action]] are being applied. And it is recorded in the life account of this [[person]], the [[baby]], that such [[events]] occurred. And when the [[Adjuster]] meets again with this being on the [[mansion worlds]] an increment of [[spirit progress]] is allotted to [[compensate]] for that which was lost. Father suffers with you, my [[friends]], as do I and all of [[the teachers]] present now and all of the beings present now at the most unfortunate [[behaviors]] inflicted upon Urantians by those who are unwilling to heed [[Adjuster]] promptings or who have even dismissed their Adjusters. It is our fervent [[hope]] that [[this mission]] will assist the [[human]] [[cultures]] of [[Urantia]] that presently exist to [[adjust]] themselves in such a way that such [[beings]] will be expunged.

What of the one who harms a being who has not yet been endowed with an Adjuster, such as a baby? How is the baby with no Adjuster benefited spiritually by the adversity of its own murder or harm in other ways? Prior to the arrival of the Adjuster in beings of animal origin, there is more of an animal-like response to pain and suffering than after the Adjuster arrives. Yes, pain is indeed felt and causes suffering in the baby, but not as you would experience it, not at that level of intensity, so the baby is somewhat protected in that way. Spiritually there are guardian entities that surround the baby and enable it to depart the material body more quickly when conditions of inappropriate material action are being applied. And it is recorded in the life account of this person, the baby, that such events occurred. And when the Adjuster meets again with this being on the mansion worlds an increment of spirit progress is allotted to compensate for that which was lost. Father suffers with you, my friends, as do I and all of the teachers present now and all of the beings present now at the most unfortunate behaviors inflicted upon Urantians by those who are unwilling to heed Adjuster promptings or who have even dismissed their Adjusters. It is our fervent hope that this mission will assist the human cultures of Urantia that presently exist to adjust themselves in such a way that such beings will be expunged.

This must happen on [[Urantia]]. I cannot tell you when that will occur. It must happen on [[this planet]] in order for the next step to be taken toward [[light and life]]. Until that step is taken, the [[suffering]] will continue, and for now it is more important than it ever has been that you continue to strive for [[goodness]] in your lives. Your glow will increase and be [[perceived]], and the [[power]] of your [[actions]] will be [[magnified]]. Now that the [[circuits]] are open again there is more [[potential]] for the spreading of your own [[goodness]] than there has been on [[this planet]] for many ages, and as each upstepping of [[energy]] occurs, so too will the capacity for the [[magnification]] of [[goodness]] increase. Father waits for your [[progress]] and as you step forward, He meets you with a step forward toward you. He [[loves]] you very, very much, and has given you all that you need to fulfil your [[destiny]]. I will stop at this point and [[receive]] [[questions]].

This must happen on Urantia. I cannot tell you when that will occur. It must happen on this planet in order for the next step to be taken toward light and life. Until that step is taken, the suffering will continue, and for now it is more important than it ever has been that you continue to strive for goodness in your lives. Your glow will increase and be perceived, and the power of your actions will be magnified. Now that the circuits are open again there is more potential for the spreading of your own goodness than there has been on this planet for many ages, and as each upstepping of energy occurs, so too will the capacity for the magnification of goodness increase. Father waits for your progress and as you step forward, He meets you with a step forward toward you. He loves you very, very much, and has given you all that you need to fulfil your destiny. I will stop at this point and receive questions.

Q: Thank you again for a very good lesson on goodness. I'm glad to see you're continuing on that subject. Will you please address the [[problem]] of the [[individual]] who denies that [[God]] exists, who has no [[faith]] that he or she will [[survive]], and yet, according to all [[human]] indications, goes about doing more [[good]] than those who [[believe]] otherwise, believe in the [[existence]] of deity and their own [[survival]]. What do you have to say about these [[individuals]]?

Q: Thank you again for a very good lesson on goodness. I'm glad to see you're continuing on that subject. Will you please address the problem of the individual who denies that God exists, who has no faith that he or she will survive, and yet, according to all human indications, goes about doing more good than those who believe otherwise, believe in the existence of deity and their own survival. What do you have to say about these individuals?

A: There is no good [[behavior]] without [[faith]] in [[God]], be it admitted or not. Were such [[individuals]] to truly disbelieve, they would not be [[good]]. How many have you known who have [[earnestly]] avowed deep and sincere faith, and yet their actions were not good?

A: There is no good behavior without faith in God, be it admitted or not. Were such individuals to truly disbelieve, they would not be good. How many have you known who have earnestly avowed deep and sincere faith, and yet their actions were not good?

S: Well, I've known quite a few that disavowed [[faith]], and yet their [[actions]] were good according to [[human]] [[standards]]. I've also heard of those who avowed [[faith]] and believed they were going to [[survive]] whose actions were not so good.

S: Well, I've known quite a few that disavowed faith, and yet their actions were good according to human standards. I've also heard of those who avowed faith and believed they were going to survive whose actions were not so good.

R: Perhaps the ones who deny [[faith]] and yet are good are not denying what you [[understand]] to be faith, but are actually denying [[established]] [[religion]], as you know it. There is no requirement for [[participation]] in established [[religion]] for one to have [[faith]] or be [[good]], is there?

R: Perhaps the ones who deny faith and yet are good are not denying what you understand to be faith, but are actually denying established religion, as you know it. There is no requirement for participation in established religion for one to have faith or be good, is there?

Q: Are you saying that one can have living [[faith]] without knowing it?

Q: Are you saying that one can have living faith without knowing it?

A: Yes, certainly. It is shown in the [[behavior]] of the [[individual]]. We all know the [[difference]] between right and wrong. And yet it is only the one who has [[faith]] who behaves in right and good ways, although it may not be [[recognized]] as faith-driven [[behavior]] by the one who is [[acting]].

Q: That adds new [[meaning]] to the [[parable]] of [[173:3 Parable of the Two Sons|the man who had two sons]]. He asked them each to do something. One said he would not. The other said he would. Yet the one who said he would, didn't; and the one who said he would not, did. Is that [[illustrative]] of the [[point]] you're making?

 

Q: That adds new meaning to the parable of the man who had two sons. He asked them each to do something. One said he would not. The other said he would. Yet the one who said he would, didn't; and the one who said he would not, did. Is that illustrative of the point you're making?

A: Yes.

A: Yes.

Q: On one occasion an individual addressed Jesus as good Master, and He responded by saying, "Why do you call me good? There's no good except God." Had He forgotten His Deity and looked only to His humanity at that moment? Did He put aside His Deity?

Q: On one occasion an [[individual]] addressed [[Jesus]] as good Master, and He responded by saying, "Why do you call me [[good]]? There's no good except [[God]]." Had He forgotten His [[Deity]] and looked only to His humanity at that moment? Did He put aside His Deity?

A: No. His response was appropriate. But you must remember that it was His mission to set down learning for the entire period of human habitation on Urantia, and so He often answered in absolute terms rather than the relative terms that I am using for these lessons, as I have been instructed. In absolute terms, that answer is correct, but we are yet in kindergarten, my friends, and so we shall proceed at our pace for now.

A: No. His [[response]] was appropriate. But you must [[remember]] that it was His mission to set down [[learning]] for the entire period of [[human]] [[habitation]] on [[Urantia]], and so He often answered in [[absolute]] terms rather than the [[relative]] terms that I am using for these lessons, as I have been instructed. In [[absolute]] terms, that answer is correct, but we are yet in [[kindergarten]], my [[friends]], and so we shall [[proceed]] at our [[pace]] for now.

Q: Is honesty part of goodness?

Q: Is [[honesty]] part of [[goodness]]?

A: The search for truth is connected to goodness.

A: The search for [[truth]] is [[connected]] to [[goodness]].

Q: In relationships, to be honest although you know it's going to hurt the other person, particularly if you're dealing with people who you think are spiritually retarded, may create a big rift. "I know, or I feel, what I'm doing is the correct thing because what I'm doing is honest." Is that good?

Q: In [[relationships]], to be honest although you know it's going to hurt the other person, particularly if you're dealing with people who you think are spiritually [[retarded]], may create a big rift. "I know, or I feel, what I'm doing is the correct thing because what I'm doing is [[honest]]." Is that good?

A: It is always a good thing to behave in a truthful way.

A: It is always a [[good]] thing to behave in a truthful way.

Q: I can see no other way to act. Are there others?

Q: I can see no other way to [[act]]. Are there others?

A: There are others, but they may not be consistent with the promptings of your Adjuster.

A: There are others, but they may not be [[consistent]] with the promptings of your [[Adjuster]].

S: Anybody who questions that should study in depth the history of the earth and the way conditions really were 100, 200 years ago - maybe even before that. Things are getting better in the long run. Regarding people who deny God's existence yet do good in the name of humanity - those who profess a secular reason for doing good rather than a religious reason - the Urantia Book somewhere says that those who do good without believing in God, who deny God, when they do good there's not as much soul growth because that is a social thing. They act for social benefits. It does do good socially, but there is not much growth in their own soul because of their denial of the existence of God. That's more of a comment than a question.

S: Anybody who questions that should [[study]] in depth [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_III._The_History_of_Urantia the history of the earth] and the way conditions really were 100, 200 years ago - maybe even before that. Things are getting better in the long run. Regarding people who [[deny]] [[God]]'s [[existence]] yet do good in the name of [[humanity]] - those who profess a [[secular]] reason for doing good rather than a religious reason - the [[Urantia Book]] somewhere says that those who do good without [[believing]] in God, who deny God, when they do good there's not as much [[soul growth]] because that is a [[social]] thing. They [[act]] for social benefits. It does do good socially, but there is not much [[growth]] in their own [[soul]] because of their denial of the [[existence]] of [[God]]. That's more of a comment than a question.

A: Truly doing good requires good intent. You cannot have good intent without faith of some sort. And while the person may deny adherence to teachings of formal religions, there must be faith and response to Thought Adjuster promptings in order for good intent and good behavior, truly good behavior, not social posturing, to occur. Supposed good action which is undertaken for show without sincere good intent underlying it may lead to no spiritual growth whatsoever. An animal may mistakenly do good, but does it grow spiritually? No. To undertake any act without consideration of spiritual consequences is to behave in an animal-like way, and the animal behavior does not promote spiritual growth.

A: Truly doing good requires good [[intent]]. You cannot have good intent without [[faith]] of some sort. And while the person may deny [[adherence]] to teachings of formal [[religions]], there must be [[faith]] and [[response]] to [[Thought Adjuster]] promptings in order for good [[intent]] and good [[behavior]], truly good behavior, not social [[posturing]], to occur. Supposed good [[action]] which is undertaken for show without [[sincere]] good intent underlying it may lead to no [[spiritual growth]] whatsoever. An [[animal]] may mistakenly do [[good]], but does it grow [[spiritually]]? No. To undertake any act without [[consideration]] of spiritual consequences is to behave in an [[animal]]-like way, and the [[animal]] behavior does not promote [[spiritual growth]].

S: Well, in all honesty, I don't agree with that completely. I have a very good friend who denies God, yet who does good. There are others with whom I'm not familiar whose active secular goodness is because they really feel that in order to keep civilization on an even keel and to have social brotherhood they feel an obligation to do good things. And so they do these good things. It's not a social posturing, it's more like a business transaction; they do something good and they feel better, and believe that eventually that good will come back to them. And they feel that that is all, something that takes place without necessarily believing in God or any kind of Deity.

S: Well, in all [[honesty]], I don't [[agree]] with that completely. I have a very good [[friend]] who denies [[God]], yet who does good. There are others with whom I'm not familiar whose active [[secular]] [[goodness]] is because they really feel that in order to keep [[civilization]] on an even keel and to have social [[brotherhood]] they feel an [[obligation]] to do good things. And so they do these good things. It's not a social [[posturing]], it's more like a business [[transaction]]; they do something good and they feel better, and believe that [[eventually]] that good will come back to them. And they feel that that is all, something that takes place without necessarily believing in God or any kind of [[Deity]].

R: Do they have good intent? Or self-serving intent?

R: Do they have [[good]] [[intent]]? Or [[self]]-serving intent?

S: It would depend on the person. But I think they have good intentions, at least they are not bad. I mean, they do something that we consider as good. And they have an intent that it's going to do good to somebody. But they do it for the sake of humanity, for the belief that humans should act that way, not because of a belief in Deity who mandates or suggests the doing of the Father's will.

S: It would depend on the [[person]]. But I think they have good [[intentions]], at least they are not bad. I mean, they do something that we consider as [[good]]. And they have an [[intent]] that it's going to do good to somebody. But they do it for the sake of [[humanity]], for the [[belief]] that humans should act that way, not because of a [[belief]] in Deity who [[mandates]] or suggests the [[doing of the Father's will]].

R: Do you believe that these people are God connected? Even if they may not be aware of such connection?

R: Do you [[believe]] that these people are [[God]] [[connected]]? Even if they may not be [[aware]] of such connection?

S: Oh yes, they're all sons of God, and they have a Thought Adjuster, and they have a soul. My point is that when they do do these good things their soul does not grow as much as if they did believe in God. And that is my only point.

S: Oh yes, they're all [[Faith sons|sons of God]], and they have a [[Thought Adjuster]], and they have a [[soul]]. My [[point]] is that when they do do these good things their soul does not grow as much as if they did [[believe]] in [[God]]. And that is my only point.

R: Thank you for your comment. (12/12/93) See Also TRUTH (12/18/93)

R: Thank you for your comment. (12/12/93) See Also TRUTH (12/18/93)